A New Chapter

When I was recruited in 2015 to lead NIBR, I was deeply engrossed in the first chapter of my career in biomedicine as a chemical biologist and stem cell transplant physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Our lab studied BRD4 and had just innovated a chemical solution to targeted protein degradation (broadly and wonderfully utilized in investigational medicines today). The experience of bringing new types of medicines to clinical investigation from our Longwood Avenue fume hoods was powerful. And I became transfixed by the chance to take on historic challenges in therapeutics science alongside like-minded drug-hunters -- to paint on a broader canvas and have the opportunity for institutional leadership. So began chapter two seven years ago.

Today, I share the news that I will be stepping down as President of NIBR on October 31.

Leading NIBR has been a privilege for which I will forever be grateful. As a scientist, you hope your ideas will disclose new truths and contribute to advancing a field of thought. As a physician, I have hoped most of all that our best ideas could meaningfully improve the human condition. Lofty ambitions like these can only be achieved in an expert and creative environment that craves connectivity and collaboration. NIBR is precisely this rarefied environment, and, with all my treasured colleagues, we have consistently redefined therapeutic likeness in response to some of the most pressing medical challenges facing humanity.

I am deeply proud of our achievements.

• Biologically, we have uncovered new synthetic lethal dependencies in solid tumors, discovered levers for gene-switching and immune tolerance, and have dissected cellular machines to atomic resolution.
• Therapeutically, we have built industry-leading platforms in molecular glues, targeted protein degradation, next-generation CART therapy, complex biotherapeutics and AAV gene therapy, while extending our lead in end-game medicinal chemistry for unprecedented targets including numerous transcription factors -- laying to rest the concept of "undruggable."
• Medically, through more than 75 INDs and 90 positive proof-of-concept studies in this chapter, NIBR has emerged as a prolific research and early development organization -- both productive and impactful.
• Organizationally, we have become ever more ambitious, aligned, business savvy, resilient, diverse, and inclusive -- through bravery, openness, and kindness.

Indeed, we delivered on our promise of biomedicine for those in greatest need of therapeutic solutions to impossible challenges. And we over-delivered on my most ambitious expectations. I cannot properly express my gratitude to all of my 5,600 incredible NIBR colleagues. In the darkest and most isolating moments of the pandemic, we leaned on each other and flourished personally and scientifically, with grace and often good humor. Thank you, NIBR, for the gift of your warm confidence, generous advices and total commitment to our research; it has been humbling and inspiring to be your leader.

Now, it's a new chapter for NIBR. NIBR's rock-solid foundation will shape the future pipeline, impact, and growth of Novartis. Our strategy is strong, the portfolio is calibrated for impact and aligned to Novartis priorities, and the company has the utmost confidence in our industry-leading leadership team. But, as my beloved predecessor Mark Fishman, M.D., wisely said amidst my arrival: "For things to remain as good, things will surely have to change."

Still very thankful for Mark's elegant and orienting on-boarding so many years ago, I have warmly agreed to remain in role until my successor, Fiona H. Marshall , Ph.D., arrives on November 1st as the third NIBR President. Fiona is an expert neuropharmacologist with a wealth of leadership experiences from a number of R&D organizations. I look forward to following the remarkable impact of her tenure.

And it's a new chapter for me. I look forward to continuing to provide scientific contribution and leadership beyond Novartis and will continue to be laser-focused on delivering definitive medicines for life-threatening diseases. More to follow.